MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Amad, Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United in action during a first team tra
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are back in Manchester United training (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United's injury woes are beginning to subside, arriving at an opportune moment as Michael Carrick prepares for his first match as interim manager in Saturday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have found it difficult to gain the upper hand against their local neighbours Manchester City in recent years, managing just a single victory in their last five encounters on home turf. This latest instalment of the storied rivalry comes amid significant changes to United's staff.
Ruben Amorim, the previous boss, was relieved of his duties earlier this month. Just four days ahead of facing Pep Guardiola's team, an agreement was reached on Tuesday for former United midfielder Carrick to rejoin as interim manager through to the end of the 2025/26 season. "Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour," declared the former England international following his return.
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"I know what it takes to succeed here, my focus is now on helping the players to reach the standards that we expect at this incredible club, which we know that this group is more than capable of producing.
"I have worked with a number of the players already and have obviously continued to watch the team closely in recent years, I have total belief in their talents, dedication and ability to be successful here. There is still a lot to fight for this season, we are ready to pull everyone together and give the fans the performances that their loyal support deserves."
Carrick is eyeing a strong start to his stint in charge at Old Trafford, which comes with the objective of Champions League qualification. He eagerly anticipates the return of African forwards Amad and Bryan Mbeumo, who are set to bolster the squad ahead of their clash against City.
Both players have been absent since mid-December, having been called up for national duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Amad was part of the defending champions Ivory Coast team, while Mbeumo played for Cameroon.
Amad Diallo of Côte d'Ivoire and Bryan Marceau Mbeumo Tetsdon of Cameroon looks on during the AFCON Group F match between Ivory
Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo faced each other at AFCON (Image: Getty Images)
But both teams were knocked out in the quarter-finals last weekend, with Ivory Coast losing to Egypt and Cameroon falling to tournament hosts Morocco, which boasts United's Noussair Mazraoui in its ranks.
Despite this personal disappointment, it means both players can now refocus on their club duties for the 2025/26 season, returning to a significantly transformed United side under Carrick's leadership. This could potentially see the two returning players vying for a starting spot, with the duo already back in training.
Carrick is expected to deviate from Amorim's favoured 3-4-3 formation, opting instead for a back-four. During his tenure at Middlesbrough, Carrick typically deployed his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The 3-4-3 allowed both players to start, with Mbeumo leading the attack ahead of Amad, who overlapped but was tasked with more defensive duties. Prior to their departure for AFCON, the former scored seven goals and provided one assist in 17 appearances for United, while the latter contributed two goals and two assists.
However, at AFCON, it was Amad who proved to be more productive. In an offensive role, the 23-year-old netted three goals and provided one assist in five matches, compared to Mbeumo's single assist in the same number of games.
Thus, Carrick faces a crucial decision regarding who will start on the right wing when United face City this weekend.